Home

 › 

Entertainment

 › 

Music

 › 

50 Greatest Pop Albums of All Time

50 Greatest Pop Albums of All Time

With the development of a PVC-based material better known as vinyl came the long-playing record, or LP for short. Issued in both 10-inch and 12-inch formats, to be played at a speed of 33 1/3 turntable revolutions per minute (16 2/3 for spoken word records), the LP could hold much more music per side than pre-existing shellac records of the same diameters played at 78 rpm. This allowed for the release of albums on a single disc as opposed to heavy books – albums in the true sense – full of the aforementioned shellacs. So began the album era, which started in the late 1940s and steadily took off thereafter. 

Take classical music out of the equation and one might argue that artists such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and Miles Davis – the latter of whom released “Kind of Blue” in 1959 – fine-tuned the album concept by crafting LPs as collections of individual tracks but also as the sum of their parts. Then came rock acts like The Beatles and The Who, who took an increasingly calculated and thematic approach toward the album format as their sound and style evolved throughout the 1960s. (Those two groups are certainly among the most popular rock bands of all time.)

The notion of the studio itself being an instrument reached an early apex with 1967’s “Sgt.  Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” after which the music industry was never quite the same.  While not necessarily as unique as its reputation would suggest, it was this release that cemented the album as both a springboard for singles and a collective experience unto itself. By the 1970s, everyone from David Bowie to Marvin Gaye was taking a similar approach to their material, producing what became known as “concept records” – a trend that continues to this day. (These are the artists with the most hit albums.) 

To determine the 100 best albums of all time, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on chart performance, record sales, and critical reception. Considering only albums ranked on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, published in September 2020, we developed an index based on three metrics: an album’s performance on the Billboard 200 album charts, giving one week at No.  200 one point, one week at No. 199 two points, and so on; the number of certified unit sales in the United States; and an album’s position on Rolling Stone’s greatest albums list. All data were given full weight in the index. (Data on Billboard 200 chart performance is from Billboard and is current as of May 2022.  Data on certified U.S. unit sales came from the Recording Industry Association of America and is also current as of May 2022.)   

Source: Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images

50. Beyoncé, Beyoncé
> Release date: December 13, 2013
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 186
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 2
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #81

Source: markmorgantrinidad / Flickr

49. Billy Joel, The Stranger
> Release date: September 22, 1977
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 137
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #169

Source: GreenPimp / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

48. Elton John, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
> Release date: October 1, 1973
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 111
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #112

Source: Central Press / Getty Images

47. The Doors, The Doors
> Release date: January 1, 1967
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 122
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #86

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

46. Kendrick Lamar, DAMN.
> Release date: April 14, 2017
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 222
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #175

Source: Kevork Diansezian / Getty Images

45. Beyoncé, Lemonade
> Release date: April 22, 2016
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 87
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #32

Source: Frank Micelotta / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

44. Eminem, The Marshall Mathers LP
> Release date: May 23, 2000
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 171
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #145

Source: MJ Kim / Getty Images

43. George Michael, Faith
> Release date: October 30, 1987
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 12 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 96
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #151

Source: Chelsea Lauren / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

42. Dr. Dre, The Chronic
> Release date: November 9, 1992
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 95
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #37

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

41. Whitney Houston, Whitney Houston
> Release date: February 21, 1985
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 176
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 13
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #249

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

40. Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffiti
> Release date: March 3, 1975
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 48
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 16
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #144

Source: Mike Coppola / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

39. U2, The Joshua Tree
> Release date: March 9, 1987
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 121
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #135

Source: badgreeb_records / Flickr

38. Madonna, The Immaculate Collection
> Release date: November 13, 1990
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 148
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #138

Source: Express / Archive Photos via Getty Images

37. The Beatles, Rubber Soul
> Release date: December 6, 1965
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 70
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #35

Source: By P.Lindgren - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57679903

36. The Notorious B.I.G., Ready to Die
> Release date: September 13, 1994
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #15 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 61
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #22

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

35. Taylor Swift, Red
> Release date: October 22, 2012
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 170
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 7
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #99

Source: BIPS / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

34. The Beatles, Revolver
> Release date: August 8, 1966
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 85
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #11

Source: badgreeb_records / Flickr

33. Paul Simon, Graceland
> Release date: August 25, 1986
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 105
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #46

Source: Roger Kisby / Getty Images

32. Amy Winehouse, Back to Black
> Release date: March 13, 2007
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 173
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 2
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #33

Source: Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images

31. Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run
> Release date: September 1, 1975
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 110
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #21

Source: Jack Taylor / Getty Images News via Getty Images

30. Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin II
> Release date: October 22, 1969
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 117
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 12
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #123

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

29. Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin
> Release date: October 8, 1990
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #7 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 115
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #101

Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images

28. Jimi Hendrix, Are You Experienced?
> Release date: August 26, 1967
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 106
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #30

Source: Dave Hogan / Getty Images

27. Shania Twain, Come On Over
> Release date: November 4, 1997
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 151
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 20
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #300

Source: Sydney O'Meara / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

26. Bee Gees, Saturday Night Fever
> Release date: January 7, 1977
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 24 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 137
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 16
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #163

Source: Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

25. Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
> Release date: August 18, 1998
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 91
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #10

Source: Mike Lawn / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

24. Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life
> Release date: September 28, 1976
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 82
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #4

Source: cdrummbks / Flickr

23. Bruce Springsteen, Born in the U.S.A.
> Release date: June 1, 1984
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 143
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 15
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #142

Source: TriggerPhoto / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

22. Michael Jackson, Off the Wall
> Release date: August 1, 1979
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 193
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 9
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #36

Source: Rob Loud / Getty Images

21. Pearl Jam, Ten
> Release date: August 20, 1991
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 264
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 13
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #160

Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

20. Pink Floyd, The Wall
> Release date: November 28, 1979
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 15 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 158
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 23
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #129

Source: hansthijs / Flickr

19. Prince and the Revolution, Purple Rain
> Release date: June 25, 1984
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 24 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 152
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 13
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #8

Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

18. Kendrick Lamar, good kid, m.A.A.d city
> Release date: October 22, 2012
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 455
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #115

Source: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

17. Alanis Morissette, Jagged Little Pill
> Release date: June 13, 1995
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 12 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 127
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 16
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #69

Source: John Pratt / Getty Images

16. The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
> Release date: June 2, 1967
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 15 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 232
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 11
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #24

Source: RB / Getty Images

15. The Eagles, Hotel California
> Release date: December 8, 1976
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 137
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 26
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #118

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

14. Carole King, Tapestry
> Release date: January 30, 1971
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 15 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 318
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 13
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #25

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

13. Drake, Take Care
> Release date: November 15, 2011
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 437
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #95

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

12. Guns N’ Roses, Appetite for Destruction
> Release date: July 21, 1987
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 250
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 18
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #62

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

11. Nirvana, Nevermind
> Release date: September 24, 1991
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 533
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #6

Source: Mauricio Santana / Getty Images

10. Metallica, Metallica
> Release date: August 2, 1991
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 616
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 16
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #235

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

9. The Beatles, Abbey Road
> Release date: November 1, 1969
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 11 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 419
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 12
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #5

Source: John Pratt / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

8. The Beatles, The Beatles [White Album]
> Release date: November 25, 1968
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 215
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 24
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #29

Source: Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

7. Adele, 21
> Release date: February 22, 2011
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 24 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 507
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 14
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #137

Source: Hulton Archive / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

6. Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin IV
> Release date: November 8, 1971
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 283
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 23
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #58

Source: cdrummbks / Flickr

5. AC/DC, Back In Black
> Release date: July 21, 1980
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #4 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 472
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 25
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #84

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

4. Pink Floyd, The Dark Side Of The Moon
> Release date: April 17, 1973
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 957
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 15
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #55

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

3. Fleetwood Mac, Rumours
> Release date: February 4, 1977
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 31 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 433
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 20
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #7

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

2. Bob Marley and the Wailers, Legend
> Release date: July 24, 1984
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 687
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 15
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #48

Source: Phil Walter / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1. Michael Jackson, Thriller
> Release date: December 30, 1982
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 37 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 479
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 33
> Rolling Stone Greatest Albums rank: #12

To top